Game apparatus



Feb. 5, 1935. BRENNER 1,990,109

GAME APPARATUS Filed Nov. 20, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTOR N EYS Fe b. 5, 1935. I 9 M. J. BRENNER 1,990,199

GAME APPARATUS Filed Nov. 20, 1935 4 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 56 J2 (/VizZZ/zWJfire/mer A TORNEYS Feb. 5, 1935. J BRENNER 1,990,109

GAME APPARATUS Filed Nov. 20, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IHHIIIII' IIII i 59 A? 37 i J1 i r 36 INVENTOR ATTOR N EYS Feb. 5, 1935.

M. J. BRENNER 1,990,109

GAME APPARATUS Filed Nov. 20, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 "IIIIIII'II'IIII'III ATTO R N EYS Patented Feb. 5, 1935 UNETED STATES g GAMEYAPPARATUS Matthew Joseph Brenner, Chicago," Ill.

Application November 2 7 Claims.

The invention relates to a game apparatus and more especially to baseball game apparatus.

The primary object of the invention is the pro- .vision of an apparatusof this character, wherein by the construction thereof a batter is given the over the fence home run thrill, the triple off the fence, the double past the outfielders,'the whistling single through the infield, and the fly is out play.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character, wherein the pitcher is enabledto throw a fast ball, a

slow ball, and either the incurve orthe outcurve, thus giving both the batter and the pitcher a chance to match their wits and outguess each other in the operation of the apparatus.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character which is comparatively simple in construction, readily and easily operated, thoroughly reliable and efficient in its purpose, entertaining when playing the miniature baseball game, strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction,

combination and arrangement of parts as will-be hereinafter more fullydesc'ribed in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiment of theinvention, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings: I

Figure 1 is a plan View of the apparatus con-jstructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is'an elevation partly broken away.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view partly insection.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view showing detail adjuncts of the device.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the pitching plunger in normal latched position.

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 5showi11g the plunger released.

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse sectionalview on the line '7-7 of Figure 6 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-'9 of Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the ball way of the apparatus.

Figure 11.is a fragmentary end elevation thereof Figure l2is a fragmentary plan :view partly in o, 1933, Serial No. 698,905

section showing details of the batting mechanism. Figure 13 is a sectional View on the line'13- -'-13 of Figure 12. Q Figure 14 is a sectional view on the line 14-14 of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary verticalsectional view of one of the outfieldtraps.

Figure 16 is a sectional View on the 1ine'16,-16 of Figure 15. v

Figure 17 is a sectional view 'on the line 17-1'l of Figure 15, looking in the direction of the arrows. J

Figure 18 is a sectional view on the'line 1818 of Figure 15, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 19 is a sectional, view on the line 19-19 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. V

Figure 20 is a fragmentary sectionalviewlooking toward one end of the part shown in Figure 19. 20

Figure 21 is. adetail perspective View: of the catcher trap.

Figure 22 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of one of the infield traps.

Figure 23a is a front elevation'jof a miniature player as used with the apparatus. Figure 231) is a rear elevation thereof. Figure23c isa side elevation of the same. Similar reference characters indicate ,correspondingv parts throughout the several views in the drawings. I

Referring to the drawings in detaihthe apparatus comprises a playing body designated generally at.,A which includes'anwoutside vertical wall 10 marginally of a playing bed 11 beneath which is abottom 12 to the said. body, the playing bed 11 being elevated therequired distance from the bottom 12 and joined with the said wall 10, the bottom being preferably integral with said wall. This bottom 12 carries feet 13, 40 pre'ferablyof theresilient kind,;to' avoid slipping ofthe'body A when placed upon a support and also to hold such body level. I

On the upper face of-the playing bed 11 is laid out a diamond 14 having markings indicative of the first base sack 15, second base sack 16, third base sack 17 and the home plate18, re spectively. Provided in the bed 11 are the properlysized openings constituting the right field, center field and left field areas, the openings being indicated at 19, 20 and 21, respectively, and constituting the outfield. To. the under face of the bed 11, matching the openings 19, 20 and 21 therein, is an annular flange 22 for detachably fitting thereto a wire mesh bag 23 constituting a trap, the bag being detachably clamped by a clamping band 24 embracing said flange at its outer side. These bags 23 confront the openings 19, and 21 for the reception of a ball when driven to the outfield for the trapping of such ball.

The sides of the openings 19, 26 and 21 remote from the diamond 14 each has rising therefrom a vertical half-circular guard or fence 24', the latter at its lower edge being provided with the bendable tongues 25 which engage in suitable slots 26 in the bed for the fastening of the fence in place. This fence prevents a ball when trapped in the bag from bounding outwardly therefrom.

Located at the proper point throughout the infield are the stepped circular traps 2'], these having the lateral ears or lugs 28 at spaced in tervals from each other which are made secure to the under face of the bed 11 with the traps 2'7 confronting the openings 29 in said bed, the

traps 27 being located at the conventional position of the players, namely, the first baseman, the second baseman, short-stop and third baseman, while at such openings 29 on the side farthest from the diamond 14 are hoods 30, these being of half-cone shape with the larger open ends 31 next to said openings 29, the bed 11 overhung by these hoods being upwardly struck to provide sloping floors 32 inclining toward the trap openings 29 so that a ball caug .t within the hoods 30 will roll into the traps to be held therein. Each hood 30 is formed with the bendable tongues 33 engaging suitable slots in the bed 11 for the fastening of the hood in place.

Rearwardly of the home plate 18 and upon the bed 11 is a catchers ball trap 34, the same being stationarily mounted for the reception of a ball when pitched for the catching thereof.

Arranged at the batting side of the plate 18 is the vertical turning stem or shaft 35 of a horizontally swinging bat 36, the shaft being fitted with a beveled gear 37 meshing with a companion beveled gear 38 of a control shaft 39, the latter being extended through the wall 10 into an inset 40 therein and at this outer end of said shaft 39 is a knurled turning knob 41 so that said shaft 39 can be manually rotated and thus giving batting action to the bat 36. The bat 36 swings horizontally over the home plate 18, the catchers trap 34 being cut away at 42 so as tonot interfere with the bat when in operation.

Located at the pitchers mound or box within the diamond 14 and aligned with the home plate 18 beneath the playing bed 11 is a housing 43 in which is arranged a plunger 44 having surrounding the same a coiled tensioning spring 45 connected with said plunger and seated against a cross piece 46 within the housing, the plunger being formed with a head 47 which operates against a buffer 48. The head carries a ball throwing member 48 which extends upwardly through a suitable slot 49 in the bed 11 and also through a companion slot 50 provided in a stationary section 51 of a ball guide including the movable section 52. This section 52 is loosely pivoted at 53, the latter being located at the end of said section 52 next to the stationary section 51, while the opposite end of said section 52 of the guide is supported upon shiftable leg 54, the latter working in an arcuate--shaped slot 55 formed in the bed 11 and in an arcuate-shaped socketed bearing 56 upon the bottom 12 of the body A. The section 51 is disposed at a slight inclination away from the home plate, while the section 52 is considerably inclined with relation to the section 51 and in the same direction of its inclination, Connected to the leg 54 is an operating rod 57, the same being extended into an inset portion 58 provided in the wall 10 of the body and formed with a hand terminal knob 59 so that such rod 57 can be manually operated for the lateral swinging of the section 52 of the ball guide for the purpose of efiecting an in or outcurve to the moving ball when thrown by the member 48.

Engageable with the member 48' is a latch end 60 of a bell crank 61 pivoted at 62 to and beneath the bed 11. This bell crank 61 has the down-turned end 63 loosely engaged in an eye 64 of a releasing rod 65, the same being extended into the inset portion 58 and carrying a push button 66, the rod 65 being acted upon by a spring 67 to urge the latch end 60 in a direction for engagement with the member 48'. This member 48, when engaged by the latch end 60 will be held under tension by the spring 45 acting upon its plunger 44 and on release thereof the member 48' will pitch the ball 68, as being played with, so that it will be thrown in the direction of the home plate 18 when playing the game of miniature baseball.

The section 52 of the ball guide, at the end con nected with the leg 54, has side wings 69. to prevent the riding of the ball laterally ofl' opposite side edges of said section when the ball is pitched for the sending of the same across the home plate 18 or" the diamond 14.

The sections 51 and 52 of the ball guide are present-ed with channels 70 forming the runways for the ball 63 when in motion.

In Figure 23 of the drawings there is shown an image 71 representative of a ball player and each of a group thereof is adapted to be played upon the bases or sacks 15, 16 and 1'? according to a play under the rules of a natural game of baseball and in conformity with the results of the playing operation of the apparatus.

Each trap 2'7 has the step '72 therein which is annular and slightly inclined away from the center of said trap to render it diflicult for the pocketing of the ball within the trap.

Disposed at right angles to the path of movement of the plunger 44' and for movement into and out of its path of movement is a braking rod 73, the same being extended into the inset portion 58 and having a terminal finger hold 74, the

purpose of the rod 73 being to regulate the speed of pitching action of the member 48' so that either a slow or fast ball can be pitched thereby. 5

In the operation of the apparatus a batter operates the knob 41 with the right hand and with the left hand he pushes the member 43' which becomes latched into throwing position by the latch end 60 of the bell crank 61 and thereafter the ball 68 is placed within the guide in the section 51 thereof immediately ahead of the member 48'. The member. 48' is now released by the player identified as the pitcher. The ball 68 shoots over the guide including the sections 51 and 52 and into the catchers trap 34 over home plate 18. If the bat 36 is swung it will meet the ball as it crosses home plate 18 providing the timing is correct. If the ball is struck it may be foul or it may constitute a strike or a hit. curve the ball 68 it is necessary to actuate the rod 57, this being under the control of the pitcher, whereby the section 52 will effect an in or outcurve of the ball. If the bat 36 is swung it will not connect squarely with the ball 68 or the ball may be entirely missed, constituting a strike. If the batter fails to swing the bat 36 and the ball does not cross home plate 18 and fall into catchers trap 34 this will be called a ball. The ball can only cross home plate 18 and fall into catchers trap 34 when a straight fast ball is pitched.

This is called a strike if batter fails to swing.

The player constituting the pitcher, when actuating the rod 73, can regulate the speed of the ball when pitched to send a fast or slow ball at his option.

Three strikes on the batter is an out. Four balls allow batter to go to first base. If the batter hits the ball which hits fair part of outfield fences 24 on a fly before the ball touches the ground the batter is credited with a three base hit and should the bases be occupied by runners, these advance three bases and the batter is allowed a runner on third base. Also if the batter hits ball over any part of fair outfield fences he gets a home run, scoring all runners on bases at the time, ahead of him.

If the batter hits the ball past outfielders trap 23 and the ball touches the ground constituted by the playing bed 11 before striking fair part of outfield fences 24, or if the ball glances off outfielder and goes over the fences 24, or if the ball jumps out of outfielder traps 23 and goes over the fences, or if the ball jumps out of the traps 23, or if the ball stays in fair field without rolling into outfielder traps 23, or if the ball stops on any part of fair field without dropping into one of the traps 27, he is credited with a two base hit, advancing all other base runners two bases and allowing batters side a runner on second base.

When the batter hits the ball through or over infield and it touches the ground before rolling into the outfielder traps 23, or if the ball is hit so hard that it bounces from infield and stays infield or the side lines 75 of infield, the batter is credited with a one base hit, advancing all runners one base and allowing batters side a runner on first base.

The three swings or strikes by the batter without hitting fair hits by the bat 36 and not counting foul on last strike equal one out. Three cuts are allowed each side in each inning.

If the batter hits the ball in any way into infield,

one out is called.

If the batter hits the ball into outfield into the traps 23 without touching ground, one out is charged. If the batter hits the ball into the traps 27 of infield with runner on first base, the latter and the batter are called out. If the batter hits the ball into infield traps 2'7 and if the bases are full the ball must roll into small double out hole of infielder and the runners are forced out at home plate, third base and second base for three outs, retiring the side at bat. the ball and it strikes any base runner the runner is declared out and the ball is in play wherever it rolls.

A pitchers balk is charged if the pitcher throws the ball before the batter is ready, thus advancing all base runners one base. The section 52 of the ball guide must be aimed straight at home plate before each pitch, otherwise a balk is charged to the pitcher. If the pitcher hesitates unreasonably long before pitching a balk is charged, advancing all runners one base. The rules and regulations of the national game of baseball are followed in the playing of the apparatus with the exceptions as above indicated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a game apparatus of the kind described,

If the batter hits" a body forming a playing bed, a baseball diamond indicated on said bed and including home plate, first base, second base, third'base and pitchers box, hand released spring actuated ball pitching means at the box, a ball guide on said bed con-" fronting said means and including stationary and movable inclined sections, and means for laterally shifting the movable section of said guide for effecting incurve and outcurve action of a ball pitched by said means.

2. In a game apparatus of the kind described, a body forming a playing bed, a baseball diamond indicated on said bed and including home plate, first base, second base, third base and pitchers box, hand released spring actuated ball pitching means at the box, a ball guide on said bed confronting said means and including stationary and movable inclined sections, meansfor laterally shifting the movable section of said guide for effecting incurve and outcurve action of a ball pitched by said means, and means coacting with the first means and manually controlled for effecting a fast or slow ball.

3. In a game apparatus of the kind described, a body forming a playing bed, a baseball diamond indicated on said bed and including home plate, first base, second base, third base and pitchers box, hand released spring actuated ball pitching means at the box, a ball guide on said bed confronting said means and including stationary and movable inclined sections, means for laterally shifting the movable section of said guide for effecting incurve and outcurve action of a ball pitched by said means, means coacting with the first means and manually controlled for effecting a fast or slow ball, and infield and outfield traps on said bed.

4. In a game apparatus of the kind described, a body forming a playing bed, a baseball diamond indicated on said bed and including home plate, first base, second base, third base and pitchers box, hand released spring actuated ball pitching means at the box, a ball guide on said bed .confrontingsaid means and including stationary and movable inclined sections, means for laterally shifting the movable section of said guide for effecting incurve and outcurve action of a ball pitched by said means, means coacting with the first means and manually controlled for effecting a fast orslow ball, infield and outfield traps on said bed, and manually controlled means adjacent to said home plate for'the batting of the ball.

5. In a game apparatus of the kind described, a body forming a playing bed, a baseball diamond indicated on said bed and including home plate, first base, second base, third base and pitchers box, hand released spring actuated ball pitching means at the box, a ball guide on said bed confronting said means and including stationary and movable inclined sections, means for laterally shifting the movable section of said guide for effecting incurve and outcurve action of a ball pitched by said means, means coacting with the first means and manually controlled for effecting a fast or slow ball, infield and outfield traps on said bed, manually controlled means adjacent to said home plate for the batting of the ball, and

a catchers trap located rearwardly of home plate on said bed.

6. In a game apparatus of the kind described, a body forming a playing bed, a baseball diamond indicated on said bed and including home plate, first base, second base, third base and pitchers box, hand released spring actuated ball pitching means at the box, a ball guide on said bed confronting said means and including stationary and movable inclined sections, means for laterally shifting the movable section of said guide for efiecting incurve and outcurve action of a ball pitched by said means, means coacting with the first means and manually controlled for effecting a fast or slow ball, infield and outfield traps on said bed, manually controlled means adjacent to said home plate for the batting of the ball, a catchers trap located rearwardly or" home plate on said bed, a marginal Wall about said playing bed, and guards located with respect to said infield and outfield traps.

'7. In a game apparatus of the kind described, a body forming a playing bed, a baseball diamond indicated on said bed and including home plate, first base, second base, third base and pitchers box, hand released spring actuated ball pitching means at the box, a ball guide on said bed confronting said means and including stationary and movable inclined sections, means for laterally shifting the movable section of said guide for effecting incurve and outcurve action of a ball pitched by said means, means coacting with the first means and manually controlled for effecting a fast or slow ball, infield and outfield traps on said bed, manually controlled means adjacent to said home plate for the batting of the ball, a catchers trap located rearwardly of home plate on said bed, a marginal wall about said playing bed, and guards located with respect to said infield and outfield traps, the said infield traps being of stepped cup formation.

MATTHEW JOSEPH BRENNER. 

